Curious?...Chateau Mercian Koshu Gris de Gris

24 January 2020

As grapes were never indigenous to Japan all grapevines had been introduced to the region with the movement of the spice route and silk roads over 2000 years. It is believed that about 1300 years ago grapevines were introduced to Japan where the climate was too hot, cold, wet - just too extreme - to grow grapes for wine!...

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Buyers Pick - DRGN Turmeric Superdrink Citrus

23 January 2020

Inspired by the ancient wisdom and glittering nightlife of the Far East, the concept of DRGN was born in 2012 - the Year of the Dragon - during the decade its founder lived in the region. A fusion of Eastern alchemy and Western science, DRGN Turmeric Super-drink was created to provide a natural source of energy and wellness, but without caffeine. The idea was...

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Introducing the Cotswold Brew Co

21 January 2020

This is an independent, family owned and run microbrewery that is passionate about beer. In 2005 Rick and Emma Keene decided to set up a brewery (as you do)! Rather than compete with the 100's of ale microbreweries, they took the bold decision to brew lagers like the Germans and Belgians. In true Cotswold fashion Rick met a farmer...

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An Exciting Update on Belu's Plastic Bottles.

21 January 2020

Belu is proud to announce that all their plastic bottles will be produced from 100% recycled plastic bottles - l00% RPET. Their 50cl Still RPET bottle is already hitting shelves and will be followed by their other RPET range by end of January. These Belu bottles are made 100% from recycled bottles and are 100% recyclable. 100% of Belu profits go to the...

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Take a TRIP...

20 January 2020

Trip's CBD-infused drinks range The range, which is manufactured in the UK, contains 15mg of CBD per can as well as turmeric, ginseng and l-theanine. According to the company, Trip aims to reclaim the negative connotations of "getting high" and instead emphasise the positive "trips" people can embrace every day. The range comprises: Elderflower Mint - with ginseng, l-theanine, mint, rooibos, chamomile...

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Burns Night approaches!...Bruichladdich Octomore 10.1

17 January 2020

Bruichladdich whisky range is unpeated, floral and complex. Trickle distilled from 100% Scottish barley using much of the original Victorian machinery, the methods employed by their craftsmen have continued unchanged. This is natural whisky, non-chill filtered and colouring free. With Burns night just around the corner on January 25th, here's a new tipple to our shelves you might want to...

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Gym Dodger!

16 January 2020

Taking inspiration from the past to make beer for the future, Box Steam Brewery has joined our cask ale offering with their humourously named Gym Dodger, their monthly showcase cask ale for January 2020! Gustav Ernst invented the portable home gymnasium in 1861, alongside a manual of workouts for the discerning Victorian. He warned, though, that exercise was 'fatiguing...

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Buyers Pick - Kavka Polish Vodka

16 January 2020

This is the genuine article - Jan Woroneiki was born in the UK to a Polish father and has been involved in running eastern European restaurants for many years. During that time he had sold - and drunk - hundreds of different vodkas and had sometimes glimpsed the potential for renewal in some of the smaller, old fashioned, Polish brands...

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Trying dry? Square Root Non-Alcoholic Negroni is here!

15 January 2020

Another drink to #Try during #Dry? They started Square Root Soda from their kitchen in 2012 selling Ginger Beer at a local farmers market. Soon producing new flavours every week, they enlisted a 1920's delivery tricycle, Elsie, and started peddling around London serving the thirsty crowds at KERB street food markets. Blown away by the demand, in 2013 they founded the...

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Karakuchi in a can....Asahi Cans are here

13 January 2020

When Asahi Super Dry was introduced, it brought an entirely new genre of beer to Japan, and then to the world. Brewed to the authentic Japanese recipe to deliver its dry, crisp taste and quick clean finish, Asahi Super Dry complements all occasions. Its distinctive taste is known as Karakuchi (dry). A taste they are dedicated to mastering, by...

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Our Beer buyers pick for January

09 January 2020

Michael, our Beers and Ciders buyer's pick of the month is an innovative alcohol free beer from FREESTAR. Well we had to go for a dry beer for January didn't we? FREESTAR was started by three friends, who have pioneered an entirely new process to make alcohol free beer. They are the first and only alcohol free beer to blend...

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Giving Life and Living Life

08 January 2020

Giving life and living life, Lo Bros Kombucha bring zest, oomph and fizz to everything that they do. All of their kombuchas are alive - little communities of refreshing, harmonious natural chemistry and full of gut-loving ingredients. Taking inspiration from an ancient recipe, their kombucha is fermented slow and steady in small batches with organic ingredients and delicious natural flavours to create a refreshing brew...

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The Latest Venture

10 January 2020

Willy's, is William Chase's latest venture. He has traded potatoes for most of his life but was fortunate to inherit 200 acres of untouched old, organic orchards when he moved to Laddin Farm in 2005, in a little village called Little Miracle, a beautiful and fruitful place in Herefordshire. The apples from this orchard made the most incredible cider, and having learnt the craft of...

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From the Isle of Mull

20 December 2019

Established in 1798, Tobermory is the Isle of Mull's only whisky distillery and one of the oldest commercial distilleries in Scotland. In Mull, they celebrate creativity and are expressive in nature. This is evident in the colourful houses of Tobermory, framed by the rich and dramatic landscape of the beautiful island. This passion for art in nature isn't just reflected in the harbour...

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Get Festive with Yuletide

18 December 2019

Working with some of the world's most exciting brands, from famous and well-established distillers to talented up-and-comers, That Boutique-y Gin Company releases limited-edition, individually numbered batches of gin complete with fun, informative labels that are hand-illustrated for your customers' delight, often including gindustry (gin industry) folk and in-jokes. The resulting bottled gin may take the form of fascinating tweaks...

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The Spirit of the City!

16 December 2019

To many, there's no city like Dublin. To celebrate, there's no whiskey like The Dubliner. Capturing the character of Dublin: the warm welcome, the fondness for company craic and conversation - it's all in one glass. Slainte! New this month, The Dubliner is a special Irish whiskey that is distinctive and warm as it is smooth. A blend of single malt...

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Beer Buyer's Pick this Month

12 December 2019

Michael, our Beers and Ciders buyer's pick of the month is a non-alcoholic IPA from Jopen. Throughout its rich history, the city of Haarlem, the Netherlands, was known for brewing beer. The constant quality of Haarlem's beers made them well-known across the borders. Beer was traditionally freighted across the river in 'Jopen' - a beer barrel with a capacity of 112...

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Serve something a little different at Christmas!

12 December 2019

Frost is on the ground and fog clings to the hills whilst the sun barely skims the horizon. Winter is here. What's the best way to stay warm? Wine of course but the ultimate question is which? Terrible weather aside, there is plenty to be cheerful about, Christmas is upon us and if you're still debating what to serve throughout this joyous...

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One of the Longest Established English Vineyards

10 December 2019

Bolney Estate is one of the longest established English vineyards and has been making award-winning English wines at its Sussex estate for over 35 years. Located on the edge of the South Downs, about 14 miles from the UK's south coast, the estate compromises five unique vineyard sites. The vineyard manager, Sue Osgood, works tirelessly with the team to ensure the ideal microclimate, leading...

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A Collaboration between Two Breweries

09 December 2019

At Ashgrove Farm in rural Wiltshire, an old barn was converted into Gritchie Brewery using natural resources from the Estate to give people a taste of Britishness into their beers. Gritchie Brewery marry together old world traditions with new world ingredients; specially selected hops, blended with classic varieties and new breeds to help shape each of their beer's flavour, making them well-rounded and sessionable. As the...

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Are you ready for Christmas?

We want to make sure you have everything you need, especially in the run up to Christmas and New Year. Nothing will keep us from getting to you (babe)! We hope you've found our personalised delivery schedule look-up helpful so you know when your last delivery is before Christmas, your first afterwards and in the New Year.... if you haven't...

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Autumnal wines with our #MDWB Will!

29 October 2019

Autumn is in full swing with the return of Pumpkin Spice Latte's, long forgotten thick-knit jumpers and the seasonal favourite... 'isn't it getting dark early?' Food and Drink menus across the country are beginning to reflect this as everyone starts to seek out their nearest fireplace, the next warming dish and something seasonal in the glass. It is therefore the perfect time to refresh your...

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Mixologist's Diary - The Bootlegger Family

Prohibition is over! 29,307 days after prohibition ended, The Bootlegger Family opened their doors in their first bar on Gloucester Road in Bristol. Since then the family have carried on its journey heading west, opening its doors at the top of Womanby Street in Cardiff, back to where the minds who conceived the idea grew up. This month we...

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Mixologist's Diary - Paul Minea, The Leafy Elephant

Founded in 2019 by the Duncan and his family, with aspirations of replicating the luxurious bars of Mayfair, London, The Leafy Elephant is a stunning new bar in Wokingham that is definitely "more than a pub!" With over 200 gins on their impressive back bar, this purpose built venue is all about the luscious experience (and it's not...

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Mixologist's Diary - Jonathan Benoliel, Vermuteria

26 June 2019

Vermuteria, next door to Kings Cross, is an all-day café and bar serving creative food and drinks inspired by the origins of Vermouth distilling, established during the 18th Century in the city of Turin, and the great Vermouth bars of Italy and beyond. This month's mixologist is Vermuteria's Head Barman, Jonathan Benoliel. A man who loves learning and is a...

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Behind the Scenes... Nigel picks an order!

14 May 2019

Our MD is on a quest, a journey to understand each area of our Nectar operation better. Recently, Nigel joined our Warehouse Manager Rich out on the floor to learn what happens when an order is picked and wrapped ready for delivery next day... he may well have picked your order! Why not grab a drink and watch this...

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GABOR MOLNAR... The Pig Hotel

16 April 2019

As they say, a dilapidated and overgrown walled kitchen garden, tucked away in the grounds of a tired country house hotel in the New Forest has a lot to answer for... and since 2011, this has led the way to inform everything The Pig does in the kitchen and mixology. For this Mixologist's Diary feature we caught up with...

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Meet the Producer... Rupert, Conker Spirits

24 April 2019

Conker Spirits began life as Rupert's dream to get out of the big smoke, today his range includes three delicious gins and a stunning cold brew coffee liqueur, all distilled in their Dorset distillery. Fast-forward 6 years, and it's clear the leap of faith was worth it. Meet Rupert in this short video as he (re) introduces his range to...

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Meet Alex, co-founder of Long Tail Mixers

25 March 2019

With a new selection of innovative drinks to our portfolio this spring, we invited a handful of our suppliers into HQ so our teams could meet them, understand more and taste their new drinks. Alex from Long Tail Mixers chatted to us about the experience and how Long Tail came about! Meet Alex in this short video and discover dark...

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Gary Whiter, The Cabinet Rooms

It's common knowledge that the UK is enjoying a gin revival, with an unprecedented array of craft gins launching in the marketplace, since Sipsmiths sparked important changes in the world of distillation back in 2009. Around that time, Gary Whiter was about to embark on a Martini masterclass aboard the Queen Mary 2, while en route to New York. His...

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LLOYD BROWN, THE GREY BEAR BAR CO

This month we'd like you to meet Lloyd Brown, who heads up the Grey Bear Bar company, a bar consultancy and training company as well as being brand ambassador and distiller for Porters Perfection vodka (he's a busy man!). Having worked with us closely for nearly a decade, and previously run the Venner Bar at The Bull Hotel in Bridport...

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Elliott Skehel, Lab 22

In the heart of Cardiff is Lab 22, a unique venue offering a truly scientific approach to your sense of mixology enjoyment. Sleek and chic yet abundant in character, Lab 22 is the place where real magic happens. A place where elements collide and senses come alive. Lab 22 encourages the extraordinary and encourages the unusual. A creative cocktail bar...

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Hannah Wainright, The Treehouse

This August we're heading over to Beaconsfield to meet Hannah Wainwright of The Treehouse and Laurie Othen who have 'talked all things tequila' with us. The Treehouse was first established in 2010 and is part of Drinkwell Bars, a small bar group in the Chilterns. The Treehouse specialises in fantastic cocktails, a proportion of which are made with products made...

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